Getting pulled over

[ACBristol]

Hey guys pretty new. Just looking for some opinions. Now I have gotten pulled over lets just say a few times and ticketed twice. My own dumb fault, speeding. I have since gotten rid of the vehicle that made me want to do that and now have a Jeep. Not the fastest thing on 4 wheels. My mom is a dispatcher in the next county over so I have a great respect for what you guys do. Whenever I get pulled over its Hazzards on, window down, ignition off, keys on the dash then I start getting my insurance card and DL. However I find myself un-buckling to reach over to the glove box. I try and try not to but I always end up doing it. I feel one day I may get a seat belt ticket because of it. I have even re-buckled then thought oh no he is going to think I buckled up because I got pulled over. Any advice short of welding myself in every time I drive? Anything I should do different in the future? I try to get through life w/o pissing people off so this will help. Thanks guys not only for the answers but for what you do.

[Citicop]

If the seatbelt thing is worrying you, then leave it on until the officer approaches and when he asks for your insurance card, tell him it's in the glovebox and THEN unbuckle, reach over, and get it.

Problem solved!

-Citicop.

[mcsap]

You are NOT helping me by having your Lic / reg / ins ready to hand me when I walk up. It makes me think that you are used to getting stopped a LOT.

It is also a great concern that you are moving around , reaching for stuff as I approach. It makes me think you are trying to hide a gun or drugs or ???

Just pull over and stop and do NOTHING further.

If I want any of these documents , I will ask you to get them. At that time , tell me where they are so I know what you are reaching for.

[ACBristol]

Ok thanks. I haven't been pulled over since my last ticket and do not plan on being pulled over. Just figured I would see what the pros recommend.

[scott715us]

I don't ask for registration often. I know your tag info before I even approach. Although legally you are required to have it in your vehicle, it's rare that I ask to see it unless I want more interaction from the driver for other purposes (impairment, etc). I would get in the habit of leaving your seatbelt on. Although you are genuinely taking it off to get the documents, most people are attempting to sneak it on to avoid another charge. You sound like an honest person, but since most we come across are doing opposite of you, we tend to weigh on the side of caution and add the charge if we don't see the belt on as we approach.

[DS Michelle]

I agree with the other answers. Just leave on your seatbelt until after the officer approaches and tells you what documents from you (s)he needs. I also get concerned when I see the driver of the vehicle I just pulled over moving around a lot. Makes me think they are hiding something or reaching for a weapon.

[Aussie George]

The first thing I thought of when I read your post was walking up to your car and seeing you reach for something out of sight, and my thought was that it might be a weapon. At that point I am more concerned about knocking off and seeing my family than I am about seeing your D/L, reg, or finding out that you are actually a nice guy just trying to be helpful.

If I get worried about officer safety, then you get worried about getting a gun in your face. Unfortunately that is the facts of life.

I would not like to misread your actions and pull my gun on you when not warranted, but I would HATE to get shot or stabbed, so I will live with any distress I cause by misreading your actions and over reacting.

I hope the answers have helped, and I hope you learn from your previous mistakes and SLOW DOWN.

It took me a while to learn how to adhere to the speed limit too. I rode motorbikes. I no longer do.

[ACBristol]

Thanks. This has been helpful and is something they need to focus more on in drivers ed. Even if you are an awesome driver people make mistakes or there is a search out for a car that may look like yours. I always thought I was being helpful but started to wonder. And trust me I have slowed down .

[mcsap]

Hundreds of cars go by be every day , only a few do something to get my attention. DONT be one of the few.

[ET109]

I was once pulled over and took my seatbelt off automatically (it's just what I do when I stop the car)... oops. Didn't get a ticket but I still felt mighty stupid to get a lecture about wearing my seatbelt. Won't do that again if I get pulled over.

As to the registration etc, like everyone else here I'd rather you just stay stationary. Because I often don't have NCIC at my fingertips, I will ask for registration, but don't worry- I don't mind the wait while you rummage around for it in the glovebox. Just don't keep a bb gun in there. Yes, that has happened. Go ahead and keep pot in there, though, that's fine.